You’ll never buy cranberry sauce after making this simple, 4 ingredient recipe for Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce. Fifteen minutes to cook and you are done! Can be made the day before serving.
Freshly made Cranberry Sauce is always a favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table.
Not just because it has less than 5 ingredients or only takes 15 minutes but for the flavor.
Fresh, bright and sunny. It adds pizzaz to the favorite but less flavorful Thanksgiving companion dishes.
Cranberry sauce also is one of the most versatile holiday recipes for leftovers too.
This recipe was originally given to me while I was in college finding my way in the kitchen. It was about my speed: easy, fast and fool proof.
My friend’s mother who gave it to me would make it formed in a mold.
I loved it in a more free wheeling, rustic presentation as shared in the recipe today. If it’s possible, my version is even easier.
Even if you loved the ribbed cranberry jelly from a can, this recipe will make you a fresh cranberry sauce convert!
Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries
- Granulated White Sugar
- Freshly squeezed Orange Juice
- Orange Zest
Orange Juice
It’s easy to use purchased orange juice from concentrate but trust me a few minutes of time in juicing makes all the difference.
The recipe only requires 2/3 cup of orange juice so it will be fast to juice the orange.
I have a few tools I use for juicing that I love. A handheld juicer and a glass juicer. Of course squeezing the orange will work well too!
PRO TIP: To get more juice out of oranges (or any citrus fruit) place it in the microweave for 10 seconds before juicing.
Orange Zest
Using a zester or fine mesh grater works best for zesting.
The zest is the outermost layer of the orange. Do not grate the pith, the white under layer or it will add bitterness to the cranberry orange sauce.
My favorite zester: I never thought I could get excited about a zester but this zests everything like it’s zesting butter.
For more specifics check this post about Orange Zest.
Fresh Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are only available in stores in the United Stares in the fall. Buy extra bags of them to stick in the freezer.
Then you can have cranberries all year long for recipes.
Fresh cranberries can be frozen in their bag up to one year.
TIP: I place the bags of cranberries in freezer plastic bags for extra protection aginst freezer burn.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce – Step by Step
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over high heat.
Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Boil until all cranberries have burst (about 5 minutes).
Remove from heat and allow to fully cool (the sauce thickens as it cools).
How to Store Cranberry Sauce
In the Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 14 days.
In the Freezer
Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to one year. Thaw in the refrigerator.
NOTE: the texture of the cranberry sauce may be smoother after freezing.
How to Use Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Serve with other Thanksgiving Recipes
- Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Bacon Provolone Pita Pockets
- Serve over Baked Brie as an appetizer
- Serve over a block of room temperature Cream Cheese with crackers
More Cranberry Recipes to Try
- Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
- Spicy Honey Cranberry Sauce
- Slow Cooker Cranberry-Pear Sauce with Ginger
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Appetizer Roll
- Cranberry Salsa
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Originally published: November 20, 2016
Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce is fast and easy to make. It will be the hit of any meal!
Becky Hardin says
This will be added to our Thanksgiving menu!!! YUM
Suzy says
I love how simple this is yet so flavorful! Going to go well with out turkey!
Katie says
So good! The orange and cranberry combination is so vibrant and fresh!
Laura says
Love this recipe! This will definitely be on the table for Thanksgiving!
Betsy says
Delicious. I’ve made cranberries very similar to this a number of times. Great recipe. I’ve also found that rolling citrus along the counter, pressing down hard with the heel of my hand, will also help get the most juice out of the fruit, as it breaks down the membranes inside the fruit.
Toni Dash says
Great tip Betsy! Thanks!
Matt Taylor says
Awesome recipe!! No more canned cranberry stuff for this guy! 🙂
Stephanie says
I just loved the hint of orange in the cranberry sauce…sooo good!
lisa says
cranberry sauce with orange is the best! love this recipe
Cheryl S says
I agree, if you’ve never made fresh cranberry sauce you don’t know what you’re missing. I usually add some raspberries and blueberries along with the cranberries!!
Lauren Kelly says
I made this last year for my sister in law’s party and it was a huge hit. I ma definitely making it again this year!
Christina Aliperti says
This looks fresh and delicious. So much better than that stuff in the can!
Lindsey Paris says
Cranberry has hands down one of my favorite things about the holidays. This sauce looks amazing!
Hali @daytodayMOMents says
This looks so good, a few more days until everyone has some! 😛
Brianne says
I love fresh cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving! I’ve gotta try out this recipe!
Janell Poulette says
This looks so refreshing and delicious. I never thought of changing up my cranberry sauce, but this looks great for thanksgiving.
Kiwi says
I would eat this hands down right now – I never liked canned cranberry sauce. It always seems artificial so thanks for making this fresh version!
Cassie Tucker says
This sounds like it would be absolutely delicious! I just hope that my grocery store has some cranberries left so I can make this for Thanksgiving.
Kelly Hutchinson says
This looks so light and refreshing. Just perfect for the holidays.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This is a nice spin-off on a classic Thanksgiving side dish.
My husband probably would like your spicy recipe also!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is my favorite way to enjoy cranberry sauce!
Jeanine says
This looks delicious. I wish we had this at our thanksgiving. My husband is a huge fan of cranberry sauce so this would be perfect! maybe for our Christmas!
Rosey says
I gave vivid memories of my youth holidays too. Cranberry and orange is one of my favorite flavor combis. I have never had it in a sauce.
Amanda Love says
I only use little spoonfuls of this during Thanksgiving but I make sure that I have a huge batch served up for the family! I think adding orange would be a nice touch, it would amplify the flavor!
Shelley zurek says
I was juust thinkinking about how I was going make my cranberries! Now I have it ifgure out. THanks foor the recipe.
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
I’m not a big fan of cranberry sauce but my hubby loves it when we have thanksgiving dinner! Great recipe!